Top End’s new music festival BASSINTHECITY officially confirmed

The Top End has a new music festival, with a popular local rapper to headline its debut. Find out the details.

CEO NT Major Events Suzana Bishop, Minister Brent Potter, Executive Director Activate Darwin Jo Smallacombe and Owner Operator Bar Kokomo & Hanky Panky Lounge Anneliese Grazioli launching the new pop-up festival BASSINTHECITY in Austin Lane, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

BASSINTHECITY is officially the Top End’s latest music festival in a promising move to bolster Darwin’s party scene.

On Wednesday, BASSINTHECITY was announced with confirmation the event would feature local rapper J-MILLA, alongside supporting acts The Lunar Society and Madison.

The event will take place in Darwin’s CBD – just three days ahead of the highly anticipated BASSINTHEGRASS festival.

“Activate Darwin is excited to support this collaboration between BASSINTHEGRASS and the Darwin Street Art Festival, which will bring more people to Darwin City,” she said.

“The addition of the Austin Lane Markets will give attendees an opportunity to grab last minute, locally made products for BASSINTHEGRASS, and surrounding venues will benefit from the additional people visiting the city.”

Darwin-born rapper J-MILLA will perform at BASSINTHECITY. Picture: Jason Walls

A free event, BASSINTHECITY will feature a mix of musicians, cultural acts, and food vans.

Director of Darwin Street Art Festival, David Collins, welcomed the collaboration.

“Moving the Darwin Street Art Festival to May this year has allowed us to partner with other epic festivals happening in the dry season, like BASSINTHEGRASS,” he said.

“We can’t wait to bring some live art to all the live music fans.”

The announcement follows a successful 2023 BASSINTHEGRASS, in which $13.1 million was generated, and almost a third of the 14,000 attendees coming from interstate.

CEO NT Major Events Suzana Bishop and Minister Brent Potter launching the new pop-up festival BASSINTHECITY in Austin Lane, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Major Event Minister Brent Potter said BASSINTHECITY would entice festival goers to extend their stay.

“BASSINTHECITY is an exciting new development that builds upon this popular music festival,” he said.

“It also encourages visitors to stay longer in the Territory and will help boost local businesses.

“Festival goers visiting Darwin for BASSINTHEGRASS will have more reason to stay and explore the Top End from seeing the stunning street art to heading further afield to Litchfield National Park where people can immerse themselves in our jaw-dropping nature.”

BASSINTHECITY will be held in Austin Lane and Spain Place on Wednesday, May 15 from 6.30pm.